2012 Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package - 2011 Geneva Auto Show

Late…but worth the wait?

In the automotive equivalent of Waiting for Godot, Lexus teased us on its press website about this higher-performance LFA variant...nearly 10 months ago. But unlike the play's title character, the LFA Nürburgring Package did finally show up, here under the dazzling lights at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show. And of course, it looks sexier in the flesh than in photos.

Exclusive

The LFA won't be seen on every street corner or valet parking spot at the Four Seasons, as only 500 total will be produced for the global market. And of those, only 50 units will be equipped with the Nürburgring Package. The exterior changes consist of carbon-fiber aero-enhancers: a deep front splitter, dive planes above its upturned edges, and a fixed, 2-pillar rear wing complete with endplates. Exclusive black mesh-center wheels complete the look, and they're shod with what the press release describes as "dedicated high-grip tires"—code for R-compound stickies that ought to fling gravel into the fender liners at parking-lot speeds.

"This Nürburgring Package builds on the track-ready Lexus supercar with styling cues from the 24 Hours of Nürburgring prototype race car," said Mark Templin, Lexus Division group vice president. "Driving enthusiasts will also appreciate the Nürburgring Package's performance enhancements that were proven on the legendary German track."

The Nürburgring Package will be available in four exterior colors: white, orange, black and matte black, with a choice of three interior colors: black, red and violet. The interior is differentiated further with carbon-fiber trim for the door panels and center console.

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More Power, Quicker Shifts, Impressive Technology

The LFA's front-mid-mounted V-10 is already a tightly coiled snake of an engine, ready to strike with 552 bhp generated near its 9000-rpm redline. The Nürburgring Package bumps this by 10 bhp, and quickens the already blazing shift speed too...the driver can now summon a shift via the steering wheel paddles in only 0.15 seconds, a reduction of 0.05 sec. And to help make the most of this power bump and sticky tires, a more aggressive sport-tuned suspension is part of the package too.

In the way of a refresher course, remember that the LFA's construction is rather exotic, with a carbon-fiber-reinforced-plastic central tub, with both its 6-speed transaxle and coolant radiators mounted aft to achieve 50/50 weight distribution. Interestingly, all the composite work on the car is done in-house, so very fitting considering that the father of Toyota founder Kiichiro Toyoda, Sakichi, designed state-of-the-art automatic looms to produce cotton cloth.

Pricey, but with Amazing Perks

If you were lucky enough to get on the waiting list, an LFA Nürburgring Package could be yours for $70,000 above the LFA's base price of $375,000. Want the matte black paint? Add another $20K for that oh-so-popular oxidized look. But that entrance fee buys you some special privileges at the famed Nürburgring racetrack itself—private parking, private sessions with a Nürburgring chief driving instructor, a one-night's stay at the Lindner Congress and Motorsport Hotel Nürburgring and, perhaps best of all, a one-year pass for lapping the Nordschleife.